Kenya Power has apprehended five individuals in connection with the vandalism and subsequent collapse of Transmission Tower 1052 on the Naivasha–Juja 132kV double-circuit line. The latest arrests were made in Nairobi and Kiambu counties, with the suspects identified as James Njenga, Shadrack Mwangi, Ruben Kipkoech Ngetich, Peter Njuguna Richu, and Gad Mwiruri Njine.
The arrests were made following a series of operations conducted by Kenya Power's Central and North Eastern Security teams, who recovered crucial exhibits and vandalised Kenya Power materials. The teams obtained information from two initial suspects arrested on September 21 in Mai Mahiu, which led to the apprehension of the other three suspects at scrap metal yards in Gitaru and Uthiru.
Reginah Githira was also arrested at Rewagi scrap metal workshop in Uthiru, where she was found with vandalised electricity materials belonging to Kenya Power. The suspects were taken to Naivasha Police Station and booked for arraignment as investigations into the tower's collapse continued.
According to Kenya Power, searches conducted at the homes of the two initial suspects led to the recovery of tower bracing components, spanners, hacksaw blades, and other tools allegedly used in vandalism. The company stated that the two suspects allegedly admitted taking part in the vandalism and provided information on other networks and buyers dealing in stolen power infrastructure materials.
The information obtained from the initial suspects helped security teams widen their operation as they pursued other people suspected of being involved in the vandalism. Investigations are ongoing as the company seeks to establish the wider network behind the destruction and identify those involved in handling and buying the stolen materials.
Kenya Power warned that people found guilty of vandalising electricity infrastructure face heavy fines and imprisonment under the Energy Act 2019. The company also appealed to members of the public to alert the nearest police station or Kenya Power whenever they notice suspicious activities around electricity installations.
The company emphasized that protecting electricity infrastructure is a shared responsibility, as vandalism of power infrastructure disrupts businesses, causes prolonged outages, and leaves exposed wires that endanger lives and livestock.
Key points
- Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the vandalism and collapse of Transmission Tower 1052 on the Naivasha–Juja 132kV double-circuit line.
- The arrests were made following a series of operations conducted by Kenya Power's security teams, who recovered crucial exhibits and vandalised materials.
- Kenya Power warned that those found guilty of vandalising electricity infrastructure face heavy fines and imprisonment under the Energy Act 2019.
